How to Fix Washing Machine Agitator

Although the new energy efficient washing machines don't necessarily have an agitator, most of the appliances that are owned today still have this central component in the wash basin. It turns to move the clothes about to get them clean. Over time, however, the agitator can stop moving and a repair will be required.

Most agitators simply need a repair kit to be purchased to have a successful experience. You'll need to raise the lid of the washing machine and pull the fabric softener dispenser up if there is one so that it is removed from the top of the agitator. You'll find a small slot between the cap and the agitator. Use a small, flat screwdriver to gently pull this off.

Inside you'll find what is called the “barrier cap.” Just reach in and pull this out. Now you'll need to break into your tool box.

You Need to Remove the Stud and Seal

The stud and seal out the agitator to the shaft that comes up through the middle of the washing machine. Using a socket wrench with an extender, find the right size that will work with the nut in your machine and then remove the stud and seal that is in place. Once done, you'll be able to pull the agitator move up and out.

Turn the mover over and you'll see that there are some pieces that will slide out. You'll need to remove the rubber seal from the top of the agitator next and then you're ready to carefully remove the rest of the assembly. Once out of the washing machine, you're going to be looking for and wearing on the grooves, corrosion, or debris that may have gotten into the unit. If the shaft is bad, you may need an official service call.

If everything looks good, then your old agitator was just worn out. Get the repair kit opened up and you're ready to start putting everything back together in reverse.

Put the New Agitator On the Shaft

Your new agitator should slide right onto the shaft. You may need to rotate the agitator until the grooves on the new unit match the groves that are on the shaft. Some models require you to push the new agitator down to accomplish this.

Then you need to place a new seal in the grove that's on the top of the agitator. Each part that you removed in the old unit will go in the same place in the new unit with the repair kit that you've got in hand. Follow the procedures that were used to take the unit apart to assemble it together.

Be careful when placing the cam and dogs especially. They tend to fall out a lot and if they do, you'll need to start over from the beginning. The agitator needs the dogs to run properly. Then push the cam down until the tabs snap into place and rotate the agitator until everything matches up again. Using your socket wrench, tighten everything back into place once again.

The key component of a good agitator repair is to make sure that the gaskets and seals are in their proper position. If they are not, then you may be repairing the washing machine again in the near future. Place the barrier cap and softener dispenser into place. Congratulations – you've just successfully repaired the agitator in your washing machine.

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